JOHOR BAHRU (Jan 4): The Permaisuri of Johor Raja Zarith Sofiah Almarhum Sultan Idris has urged the government to look into establishing a special department to address children’s issues such as abuse and bullying in schools.

Her Royal Highness also wanted the Child Act to be strengthened, with legislative provisions so that more proactive and aggressive actions can be taken.

The role of the Social Welfare Department (JKM) needed to be reviewed to provide more effective services, Raja Zarith Sofiah said during a meeting with several government agencies and non-governmental organisations at Istana Polo, Pasir Pelangi, on Wednesday.

Several photographs of the meeting were also uploaded on “The Royal Johor” Facebook.

In the meeting, Raja Zarith Sofiah also expressed her hope that all relevant parties take appropriate measures to improve the child protection system in the country.

She also recalled several gruesome incidents involving children in the country such as the late Nurul Huda Abdul Ghani in 2004 and the late Nurul Nadirah Abdullah (Dirang) in 2012.

“The case of the late four-year-old boy (who died of suspected abuse) reminds me of the sorrow and sadness of past tragedies that befell them,” she said.

Expressing her disappointment, Raja Zarith Sofiah questioned the weaknesses in the authorities’ system in dealing with issues related to child safety and protection.

“Where do the weaknesses lie, that tragic incidents like the recent case of the boy could happen? There may be various factors, but the authorities need to play their role to improve this situation.

“There is also the issue of trust deficit on the effectiveness of the reports lodged to the authorities — whether their follow-up actions are effective in protecting the victims,” said the Johor Permaisuri adding that some might not aware of the proper channel for cases involving children.

The boy died on Dec 26, four days after being admitted to the intensive care unit of Sultan Ismail Hospital, after he succumbed to serious injuries believed to be from physical abuse and torture.

The child was under the care of his sister after their parents were sentenced to prison for drug offences.